What Happened This Year 2020

People Who Died in 2020

Tom Dempsey

American football player and educator
Born
January 12th, 1947 78 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 73 years old

American football player played as a placekicker in the NFL. Spent most of his career with the New Orleans Saints. Set a record for the longest field goal at 63 yards in 1970, a record that stood for many years. After retiring from professional football, contributed to the sport as a coach and educator.

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Benjamin Mkapa

Tanzanian politician and journalist
Born
November 12th, 1938 86 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 82 years old

Served as the third President of Tanzania from 1995 to 2005. Before his presidency, worked as a journalist and held various government positions, including Minister of Information, Culture and Sports. During the presidency, focused on economic reform and privatization, initiating policies to improve infrastructure and education. His administration promoted democratic processes and engaged in peace efforts in the region. After leaving office, continued involvement in political and diplomatic activities, contributing to national and continental discussions.

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Jim Lehrer

Journalist and News Anchor
Born
May 19th, 1934 90 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 86 years old

An American journalist and author centered around public broadcasting and political coverage. Served as the executive editor and anchor of PBS NewsHour for over three decades. Moderated presidential debates, contributing to the discourse surrounding American politics. Authored several books, including memoirs and fiction.

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Jane Parker-Smith

English organist and composer
Born
May 20th, 1950 74 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 70 years old

An influential English organist and composer, contributed significantly to the world of organ music. Served as a consultant for various churches and music organizations, focusing on the performance and promotion of organ repertoire. Performed at notable venues across the UK and internationally, showcasing both classical and contemporary works. Recorded numerous albums that feature a range of compositions, enhancing accessibility to organ music. Engaged in educational initiatives to inspire future generations of organists and promote the rich tradition of organ music.

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Alberto Naranjo

Venezuelan drummer and bandleader
Born
September 14th, 1941 83 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 79 years old

Born in 1941, this Venezuelan drummer, composer, and bandleader contributed significantly to Latin jazz and the Venezuelan music scene. As a member of several orchestras, he gained recognition for his virtuosic drumming skills and innovative compositions. Naranjo also led the renowned band "The Latin Jazz Ensemble," which showcased a blend of traditional Latin rhythms and jazz improvisation. His work in developing the Venezuelan music genre and composing for various ensembles left a lasting influence in the industry.

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David Kushnir

Israeli Olympic long-jumper
Born
June 21st, 1931 93 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 89 years old

Competed in long jump events during the 1950s. Participated in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, representing Israel. Achieved personal bests in various competitions throughout the career, contributing to the growth of athletics in Israel. Engaged in promoting athletics in the country post-retirement.

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Sam Johnson

Colonel and American politician
Born
October 11th, 1930 94 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 90 years old

Served in the United States Army and achieved the rank of colonel. Entered politics after military service, representing Texas's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 2019. Played a significant role in military and veterans' affairs during tenure. Advocated for various legislation affecting education and social security.

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Mustafa Nadarević

Bosnian actor and film director
Born
May 2nd, 1943 81 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 77 years old

A prominent figure in the Bosnian film industry, created a significant body of work throughout a career spanning several decades. Participated in numerous acclaimed television series and films. Notable appearances included roles in 'Duga mrak' and 'Kuduz'. Directed several projects that contributed to the arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Engaged in cultural dialogues and the promotion of cinema in the region.

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Masatoshi Koshiba

Japanese physicist, Nobel Prize laureate
Born
September 19th, 1926 98 years ago
Died
2020 5 years ago — 94 years old

A prominent physicist played a critical role in the discovery of neutrinos. Worked on the development of the Kamiokande neutrino detector in Japan, which led to groundbreaking observations of neutrino interactions. Contributed significantly to experimental particle physics and was involved in various international collaborations aimed at exploring fundamental particles. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2002, shared for contributions to the understanding of neutrinos and their role in astrophysics.

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